Issue 258
Issue 258
Flummoxed over Flooring
I have had a project on my to-do list for over a year now. In fact, if you had asked me at any time in the past year what the next task on my docket was, I would have told you without hesitation, “I am putting in a new wood floor in my living room/dining room.” And I would not have intentionally been lying about it!
But here it is over a year gone and that really tatty off-white carpet is still on the floor and not a stick of wood has been purchased for the effort. Why is that? Well, there are a couple of reasons. First, and perhaps foremost, I am a member of the Procrastinators of America Society (established 1974, our first meeting will happen soon). Second, I can’t decide what species of wood I am going to put on the floor. For several months, I was dead set on quartersawn long leaf pine … I had it sourced in Georgia and nearly pulled the trigger. Then I got the shipping estimate and said “Whoa, Nelly!” (I also belong to the “I am an exceptionally cheap woodworker” support group.)
Since that time I have “decided” on black ash flooring, curly maple, reclaimed hickory, locally harvested elm and bamboo. Yet the crummy carpet remains. So my question is this … how can I move from this spot of indecision? Which species should I choose? I am looking for guidance, and I think this is just the right group to ask.
Rob Johnstone, Woodworker’s Journal
What's In Store
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Tormek Drill Bit Sharpening Attachment
Tormek’s newest attachment now makes it possible to sharpen drill bits on a Tormek Water Cooled Sharpening System.
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The Opposite of Cold: the Northwoods Finnish Sauna Tradition
A new book released this September covers Finnish saunas in the north woods of the U.S., including history, culture and photographs of various architectural styles of these wooden additions to homes.
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RIDGID Contractor Grade Laptops
Tool company RIDGID has partnered with computer maker Dell to create four laptops designed for contractor use on jobsites.
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PockeTweez Puts Better Squeeze on Splinters
PockeTweez offers a more rugged solution to inexpensive and oftentimes flimsy drug store tweezers.
Tricks of the Trade
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New Spin on an Old Grind
I always thought my benchtop belt sander would make a decent sharpening station, but I could never find a blade-holding jig designed for it.
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How to Get a Square Bolt into a Round Hole
Recently I was building some folding chairs from pecan and needed to recess the square shoulders of carriage bolts into the wood. Pecan is too hard to just draw the bolt into the wood by tightening.
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Drugstore Rust Buster
To prevent rust from forming on tools in your drawers or tool chest, all you need is a block of camphor and a plastic film canister.
Today's Woodworker
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J. Paul Fennell: Turning From Experience
Several years ago, J. Paul Fennell was working as an engineer in the aerospace industry, a stressful, highly analytical job. So, for a leisure activity, he sought out something hands-on.
Q & A
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Modifying Miter-framed Cabinet Doors
If I am lucky enough to knock out the wedges, will I stand a chance of destroying the doors beyond being able to repair them?
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Dying and Finishing Maple Cabinets
Should I apply a sanding sealer, then sand again, or is that necessary?
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Best Lubricant for Wood Screws?
We would like to know if there is a paste or lubricant we can use for long wood screws that will allow them to thread easily and protect them from rust?
Industry Interviews
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Rockler: Smart Innovation Through Collaborative Effort
Fifty-six years ago, woodworkers needed a more convenient solution for purchasing supplies and hardware. So Nordy Rockler, his brother Bill, a mutual friend and one other partner started a catalog business to create a better supply chain.
Feedback
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Short Days, Long Shop Time
In Rob’s editorial last eZine out, he mentioned that he finds himself doing more woodworking in his shop as the autumn days get shorter. Some readers concurred.
Reader's Project Gallery
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Sculpted Leg End Table
I enjoy doing wood sculpting and decided to give it a go for making sculpted legs for a end table I wanted to build.
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Reclaimed Walnut Jewelry Chest
This is a jewelry chest that I recently made for my daughter. All but the drawer rails are from reclaimed 2″ walnut posts.
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Butternut Dresser
A co-worker brought me a night stand and asked if I could make a dresser to match. It seems that his father-in-law started making him and his wife a bedroom suite but fell ill before he got the dresser done.
